WWE RAW recap & reaction (9/4)

By Robert Lentini -
September 4, 2017

John Cena vs Jason Jordan

Footage of John Cena’s debut match on June 27th, 2002 was shown. Cena faced Angle in the match on SmackDown.

Jordan took Cena down quickly and went for a pinfall but Cena kicked out at one. Jordan once again took Cena to the mat and went for another cover but Cena kicked out. Jordan locked his arms around Cena and once again took him to the canvas. Cena powered to his feet and broke free. Cena charged at Jordan but once again Jordan took Cena back down to the mat.

Cena threw Jordan across the ring but Jordan was unfazed and yet again dragged Cena to the canvas. Cena elbowed Jordan in the face and followed it up with a right hand for a one count. Cena applied a Chin Lock in the middle of the ring. Jordan broke free but Cena caught him with a right hand. Cena planted Jordan with a Suplex and lurked over him.

Jordan slowly got back to his feet and Cena greeted him with a punch to the face. Cena launched Jordan into the turnbuckle as RAW went to a commercial break. When RAW returned, Jordan was in control and connected with a Belly to Belly Suplex. Jordan charged at Cena in the corner but John avoided it and Jordan slammed into the ring post. Cena hit a shoulder tackle but Jordan responded with a Dropkick for a two count.

Dueling “lets go Cena” and “Cena sucks” broke out as the two Superstars traded punches in the ring. Cena rolled up Jordan for a two count and then slammed him to the mat. Cena posed for the crowd and connected with the Five Knuckle Shuffle. Cena went for the Attitude Adjustment but Jordan reversed it into a roll-up for a two count. Cena then quickly locked in the STF in the middle of the ring.

Jordan escaped the STF and applied a Crossface. Cena powered out of the hold and lifted Jordan up on his shoulder for the Attitude Adjustment. Jordan countered it into two great looking Northern Lights Suplexes in a row for a two count.

Jordan speared Cena in the corner and brought his singlet straps down. Jordan charged at Cena but John was ready and he slammed Jordan to the mat. Cena then hit an Attitude Adjustment for the pinfall victory.

After the match, Jordan and Cena shared a hug in a show of sportsmanship. Roman Reigns’ music hit and the Big Dog made his way down the entrance ramp as RAW went to another commercial break.

Winner: John Cena

Reaction: Jason Jordan looked very good in this bout and this was a great match to kick off this week’s episode of RAW.

Roman Reigns was in the ring with Cena when RAW returned from a commercial break. Reigns said that he had one question for Cena and that was why did it take him over 20 minutes to defeat a rookie. Reigns said that if Cena was as good as he said he was, he would have defeated him quickly. Reigns said that either Cena let him stay in the match or Cena just isn’t as good as he thinks he is.

Reigns once again called Cena a “lying, fake-ass little bitch”. Cena said that Reigns had his fly open and Reigns said he busted it open because he is the “Big Dog”. Cena stated that he was just looking for his balls and noticed that he doesn’t have any. Reigns quickly retorted that Cena would be looking for his balls.

Cena said that Reigns needs to taught a lesson in respect and Cena will do that at No Mercy. Cena stated that guys like Jason Jordan, Chad Gable and The Miz have to scratch and claw every week and called Reigns a golden boy. Cena said that he doesn’t respect Reigns. Cena continued and said that the only person living a lie in the ring right now is Roman Reigns. Cena stated that Reigns calls himself “The Guy” and it is obvious that the crowd doesn’t agree with him.

Cena asked Reigns if he needed to beat some common sense into him and Reigns dared him to do it. The crowd chanted “yes!” and Reigns asked the crowd if they wanted to see Cena beat his ass and the crowd erupted. Reigns stated that this was Cena’s moment to finally back up his big mouth.

Cena leaned up against the ropes and Reigns accused Cena of being all-talk. Reigns stated that is why he doesn’t respect Cena and then left the ring as Cena smirked and shook his head.

Reaction: The exchange about Reigns’ zipper being open was hilarious. I’m thoroughly enjoying the build-up to this match at No Mercy on September 24th. I think Roman Reigns is the only guy on the WWE Universe that can cause the entire crowd to get behind John Cena in a feud.

Sheamus & Cesaro vs Heath Slater & Rhyno

Cesaro was shouting at Rollins and Ambrose at the announce table and Slater used the distraction to try and roll-up Cesaro. It didn’t work as Cesaro kicked out at two and then Slater promptly got his ass kicked for the next few minutes. Slater finally battled back and threw Cesaro out of the ring. Slater tried to tag Rhyno but Cesaro got back in the ring and prevented it.

Slater connected with a kick to Cesaro’s face and was then able to tag in Rhyno. Sheamus was tagged in as well but Rhyno slammed him into the turnbuckle. Rhyno slammed Sheamus to the mat and Cesaro broke up the pinfall. Rhyno then Clotheslined Cesaro out of the ring but turned around into a big Brogue Kick from Sheamus for the pinfall victory.

Sheamus and Cesaro posed in the ring and stared at Rollins and Ambrose at the announce table after the match.

Winners: Sheamus & Cesaro

Renee Young interviewed The Hardy Boyz backstage. Jeff Hardy discussed his Intercontinental Championship match against The Miz. Hardy said that it would be pretty cool if his daughter got to see him become the new IC Champion. Matt Hardy warned the Miztourage that they will be on the receiving end of a Twist of Fate if they try to get involved in the match tonight.

Intercontinental Championship: The Miz (c) vs Jeff Hardy

Jeff went for a roll-up right away but The Miz kicked out at two. Jeff leveled Miz with a shoulder tackle and then attempted a backslide pin but Miz kicked out at two. Hardy once again went for a roll-up but Miz kicked out at two. Jeff Hardy Clotheslined Miz out of the ring. Hardy bounced off the ropes and was about to leap onto The Miz and the Miztourage outside the ring but everyone scattered away. RAW went to a commercial break with Jeff Hardy in control of the match and The Miz trying to regroup outside the ring.

When RAW returned, Jeff connected with a Jawbreaker to The Miz in the ring. Jeff followed it up with a Facebuster for a two count. Jeff connected with Whisper in the Wind for a two count.

Jeff went to the top rope for a Swanton Bomb but Curtis Axel shoved him down while Bo Dallas distracted the ring. Matt Hardy then beatdown both Bo and Curtis Axel outside the ring. The referee then ejected Bo, Axel and Matt from ringside.

Back in the ring, Jeff hit an Atomic Drop and went for a Leg Drop but Miz blocked it and planted Jeff with a DDT for a two count. Hardy went for a roll-up but once again Miz kicked out. Miz connected with a running knee but Hardy kicked out at two. The Miz hit a few kicks but then was booted into the corner by Hardy. Jeff then hit a Dropkick to Miz’s midsection for a two count.

The Miz knocked Jeff off the ring apron and Hardy crashed to the floor outside the ring. The Miz brought Jeff back into the ring and went for the cover but Jeff kicked out. The Miz locked in the Figure Four in the middle of the ring. Jeff fought through the pain and reached the bottom rope to break the hold.

Jeff hit a Stunner and went for the cover but Miz grabbed the bottom rope to break up the pinfall. Miz then crawled outside the ring but got a Dropkick to the face for his troubles. Hardy then leaped off the steel steps onto Miz and both Superstars crashed into the barricade. Jeff then brought Miz back into the ring and climbed up the turnbuckle.

Jeff Hardy went for the Swanton Bomb but The Miz was able to get out of the way because Maryse alerted him and Jeff crashed to the canvas. Jeff went for the Twist of Fate but The Miz countered it into the Skull Crushing Finale for the pinfall victory.

Winner & Still Intercontinental Champion: The Miz

Reaction: I enjoyed this match. I hope that a feud develops out of this and it wasn’t just a throwaway match because I’d like to see this match again with more time given to it. The Intercontinental Championship has been lost in the shuffle recently on RAW, so it was good to see the title defended tonight.

Nia Jax confronted RAW GM Kurt Angle backstage. Nia was pissed off about Sasha Banks getting another shot at the RAW Women’s Championship at WWE No Mercy. Angle informed Nia that Sasha was entitled to a rematch for her title. Emma interrupted and said that she was going to start a new hashtag “give Emma chance at the women’s title”. Nia Jax got pissed off and Kurt Angle stepped in between them.

Angle then announced a tag team match for later tonight. It will be Nia Jax & Emma versus Sasha Banks & Alexa Bliss. If Nia Jax and Emma are victorious, they will be added to the RAW Women’s Championship match at No Mercy and it will become a Fatal 4-Way.

Nese and Alexander started off the match. Alexander connected with a Dropkick and Enzo tagged himself in. Enzo knocked Nese to the mat and then walked across his back. Enzo then started dancing in the ring while dodging a couple of Nese’s punches.

Nese bashed Enzo’s head off the turnbuckle and then tagged in Drew Gulak. Drew was pissed off because Enzo called him “Captain Underpants” during his promo. Gulak applied an Arm Bar but Enzo battled his way to his feet. Enzo tried to tag out but Gulak booted him in the chest and slung him to the mat.

Dar was tagged in and he continued the beatdown of Amore. Dar threw Enzo to the corner and then tagged Nese back in. Nese launched Enzo to the corner and Dar was knocked off the ring apron in the process. Enzo connected with a kick to Dar’s head outside the ring and then avoided Drew Gulak.

Enzo tagged in Alexander and Cedric connected with a kick to Gulak’s face. Alexander and Metalik flipped onto Dar and Nese outside the ring. Enzo tagged himself in once again. The referee was distracted and Enzo poked Gulak in the eye and slammed him to the mat for the pinfall victory.

Winners: Enzo Amore, Cedric Alexander & Gran Metalik

Sasha Banks and Alexa Bliss were shown backstage. Bliss told Sasha to put her ego aside for the tag match later tonight so that they could keep Nia and Emma out of the title match. Sasha said that they will be victorious tonight and then Sasha was going to make Alexa scream at No Mercy when she locks in the Bank Statement.

Finn Balor came down to the ring and cut a promo. Balor said that the NXT Championship and Universal Championship looked good around his waist and the IC Title would have looked good as well but Bray Wyatt cost him his opportunity last week during the Battle Royal. Balor said that he doesn’t run from his demons and that sometimes he becomes them.

Bray Wyatt appeared on the jumbotron. Wyatt stated that he started hunting with his bare hands as a child and showed his prey “no mercy”. Wyatt claimed that Balor wasn’t victorious over him at SummerSlam, The Demon was. Wyatt said that he didn’t want to face The Demon at No Mercy, he wanted to face Finn Balor. Bray referred to himself as a god and Balor as a mere mortal. The segment ended with Wyatt saying “run little rabbit, run” to Balor before the lights cut out.

Reaction: This feud doesn’t interest me at all and I just want it to be over. I thought their match at WWE SummerSlam was decent and thought that was the end of it. The feud features two underutilized and talented Superstars fighting over nothing. Finn Balor now has to prove that he can defeat Bray Wyatt without walking down to the ring with makeup on at No Mercy. It doesn’t sound like much of a challenge because all Bray Wyatt does is cut overly scripted promos and lose matches nowadays.

Sasha Banks & Alexa Bliss vs Nia Jax & Emma

Nia Jax and Sasha Banks started off the match. Nia slammed Sasha to the canvas and Emma tagged herself in. Emma beatdown Banks in the corner and then went for the cover but Sasha kicked out at one. Emma connected with a Dropkick for a two count.

Emma leveled Banks with a Clothesline for a two count. Alexa looked pissed off on the ring apron as Emma continued to beat the hell out of Sasha. Banks finally was able to get in some offense and made her way to the corner to tag in the RAW Women’s Champion.

Emma booted Alexa in the face but Bliss responded with a flurry of punches to Emma’s face. Bliss then tagged in Sasha and she hit Double Knees for a two count. Emma desperately tried to tag in Nia but Sasha dragged her back to the corner. Alexa was then tagged in and she and Banks connected with a double Suplex on Emma for a two count.

Bliss beatdown Emma in the corner and then applied a Chin Lock. Emma broke free but Bliss grabbed her by the throat and threw her to the canvas. Alexa climbed to the top rope but Emma rolled to the opposite corner of the ring. Alexa jumped down and Emma connected with a Jawbreaker.

Nia was then tagged in and Alexa slapped her in the face. Nia then let out an angry scream and Bliss responded by screaming out of pure terror.

Nia then knocked Alexa to the mat but Bliss got back up and slapped her in the face again. Nia connected with a Samoan Drop and went for the cover but Sasha broke it up.

Nia charged at Alexa in the corner but Bliss dodged her and tagged in Sasha. Banks went for a Crossbody but Nia caught her. Sasha escaped and hit the Shining Wizard for a two count. Nia hit a shoulder tackle and then bounced off the ropes and Emma tagged herself in. Nia then hit a Leg Drop and Emma pinned Sasha Banks for the victory.

After the match, Nia Jax planted Emma with the Samoan Drop. Alexa Bliss will now defend her Raw Women’s Championship against Sasha Banks, Emma and Nia Jax at WWE No Mercy.

Winners: Nia Jax & Emma

Reaction: This match was entertaining. WWE seems to be building up Nia Jax to finally have a run with the RAW Women’s Championship. I still don’t understand why Sasha Banks won the title at SummerSlam, only to drop it back to Alexa Bliss eight days later. I would have preferred to just see a match between Alexa Bliss and Nia Jax for the title at No Mercy. I will say that I’m glad this match turned into a Fatal 4-Way, rather than another match between Banks and Bliss. I’m getting tired of the constant rematches.

Braun Strowman was interviewed backstage. Strowman vowed to hurl Big Show into the steel cage tonight during their Steel Cage match tonight. Braun said that he doesn’t see Kurt Angle sticking Brock Lesnar in a cage match before No Mercy. Strowman stated that no matter where the monster among men goes, destruction follows.

Seth Rollins & Dean Ambrose vs Gallows & Anderson

Sheamus and Cesaro were ringside for this match. Gallows controlled the match early and beatdown Dean Ambrose. Dean connected with a Dropkick and tagged in Rollins. Seth then hit a Dropkick of his own. Ambrose and Rollins then leaped onto Gallows and Anderson outside the ring as RAW went to a commercial break.

When RAW returned, Gallows and Anderson were back in control and took turns beating down Dean Ambrose. Anderson leveled Ambrose with a Clothesline for a two count. Anderson connected with a Neckbreaker for a two count. Anderson perched Ambrose up on the top rope and hit him with a few right hands. Ambrose booted Anderson off the turnbuckle and Gallows tagged himself in.

Ambrose connected with a Lunatic Lariat that knocked Gallows to the mat. Anderson was then tagged in and Ambrose tagged in Rollins. Seth booted Anderson in the face and hit a Blockbuster. Seth hit a Crossbody to Gallows outside the ring then quickly hit a Slingblade on Anderson back in the ring.

Ambrose hit a Suicide Dive onto Gallows outside the ring. Cesaro and Sheamus hopped up on the ring apron. Rollins threw Anderson into Cesaro on the apron and Cesaro fell to the floor. Rollins then rolled up Anderson for the victory.

After the match, Anderson and Gallows knocked Sheamus and Cesaro out of the ring. A brawl then broke out between the two teams. Sheamus leveled Anderson with a Brogue Kick and then Sheamus & Cesaro Clotheslined Gallows out of the ring.

Winners: Seth Rollins & Dean Ambrose

Neville mockingly clapped as he approached Enzo Amore, Cedric Alexander and Gran Metalik backstage. Neville stated that he just spoke to RAW GM Kurt Angle and announced that there will be a Fatal 5-Way Elimination match tomorrow night on 205 Live. Metalik, Alexander and Amore will be in the match. The winner of that match will challenge Neville for the Cruiserweight Championship.

Big Show was interviewed backstage. Big Show said that he has had more steel cages matches in his career than Braun Strowman has had matches. Big Show vowed to Chokeslam Braun Strowman to hell and walk out victorious.

Steel Cage Match: Big Show vs Braun Strowman

Strowman booted Big Show in the face to start off the match. Strowman then bashed Big Show into the steel cage while he was caught between the cage and the ropes. Strowman then hit three Splashes in a row onto Strowman. Braun went for a fourth but Big Show hit a Knockout Punch and Strowman fell to the canvas as RAW went to a commercial break.

When RAW returned, both Superstars were on the mat. Both men got back to their feet and Strowman charged at Big Show. Strowman missed and went flying into the cage. Big Show then grabbed Strowman by the head and bashed him into the steel cage.

Big Show slammed him into the cage once more and Big Show taunted Strowman. Big Show then lifted Braun up and threw him into the cage. Big Show started climbing up the cage and Braun joined him. Big Show and Strowman started trading shots as they stood on the top rope.

Braun knocked Big Show down and he landed crotch-first on the top rope. Big Show got his revenge by shoving Strowman and Braun fell crotch-first onto the top rope as well. Big Show once again started climbing but Braun got back to his feet. Big Show booted Braun in the face and then hit a massive Elbow Drop off the top rope.

The crowd chanted “holy sh*t!” as both Superstars were on the mat. The chant then quickly converted to a “this is awesome” chant as Big Show attempted a pinfall. Strowman kicked out at the last moment and both Superstars were still on the canvas. Big Show slowly crawled towards the cage door as it was opened. Strowman hobbled over to Big Show and slammed the steel cage door onto Big Show’s head.

Braun walked over Big Show and tried to exit the cage via the door but Big Show grabbed the door and slammed it across Strowman’s face. Big Show leveled Strowman with a shoulder tackle and both Superstars fell to the canvas. Big Show was the first one up and raised his hand in preparation for the Chokeslam. Strowman reversed it into a DDT for a two count.

Strowman and Big Show traded punches while they were on their knees. Both men powered to their feet and traded more punches. Strowman hit a headbutt but Big Show was unfazed and planted him with a Chokeslam for a two count. Big Show stood up and geared up for the Knockout Punch. Big Show missed and Strowman lifted Big Show up on his shoulders. Big Show escaped and hurled Strowman into the steel cage.

Big Show once again started climbing up the cage surrounding the ring. Strowman clubbed Big Show across the back and joined Big Show on the top rope. Big Show slammed Strowman’s head into the cage three times and Braun crashed to the mat. Big Show was about to climb out of the cage but Braun grabbed his legs and dragged him back down to the ring apron. Strowman then connected with a Splash to Big Show’s back and he smashed face-first into the cage.

Big Show once again climbed up to the top rope. Big Show met him there and punched him in the face with a right hand. Big Show headbutted Strowman off the turnbuckle and Braun fell to the canvas. Braun got back to his feet and punched Big Show in the face again. Strowman hit a massive Suplerplex off the top rope and the ring didn’t collapse this time.

Braun got back up and posed in the corner. Strowman lifted Big Show up onto his shoulders and planted him a Running Powerslam for the pinfall victory.

After the match, Strowman grabbed a microphone and called out Brock Lesnar. Strowman stood over Big Show and said that this was Lesnar’s future. Strowman then vowed to become the new Universal Champion at WWE No Mercy.

Strowman grabbed Big Show and said “it is time to go to pasture old man”. Strowman then lifted Big Show up and hit a Running Powerslam through the cage. A panel of the cage collapsed and Big Show fell to the floor.

Winner: Braun Strowman

Reaction: The highlight of the match for me was Big Show connecting with an Elbow Drop off the top rope. Braun Strowman lifted Big Show up like he was nothing during this match, it was remarkable to see. I cannot wait for the Universal Championship match between Lesnar and Strowman at WWE No Mercy.